RTDS NEWS
April 1999
ALSTOM T&D Protection & Control Ltd.
Relay Development and Testing at ALSTOM
In 1997, an RTDS® Simulator System was
installed at ALSTOM T&D Protection and
Control Ltd. in Stafford, England. ALSTOM
has a strong history in the utilization of
digital simulation and were the first major
relay manufacturer to install a fully digital
real time simulator in their facility. The
Simulator has been integrated into
ALSTOM’s development and testing
programs, to the point where today it is run
24 hours a day on most days (the system
gets some rest on the weekends).
Throughout the intense usage, the
Simulator system has proven itself as an
essential and valuable tool.
In addition to the Simulator, the package
delivered by RTDS Technologies to
ALSTOM also included power amplifiers.
Analogue Associates was engaged to
modify and configure the amplifiers to meet
the stringent requirements specified by
ALSTOM.
ALSTOM’s testing can be split into two
main categories, development testing and
customer specific testing, each taking
advantage of the system’s real time
operation in a different manner.
For development testing, it is the sheer
speed and flexibility of the RTDS Simulator
that provides the greatest advantage. In
this situation, the Simulator is most often
operated in Automated Batch Mode using
Script files. The Script files, created by the
User, allow customization of automated test
programs and reporting. ALSTOM often
runs over 5000 cases during an 8 hour
shift, complete with a concise report of the
relay operations for further analysis. The
form of the results output from the
Simulator, are well suited to further analysis
using features of the RTDS Script
language, other PSCAD software packages
(e.g. MultiPlot), and third party software
packages, such as Microsoft Excel.
When performing customer or application
specific
simulations,
the
flexible
configuration, the setup speed, and the
closed loop performance are of most
interest.
With the RTDS Simulator,
ALSTOM is able to quickly enter the
customer specific power system topology
and component characteristics via the
Graphical User Interface (GUI). Thus, they
can accurately and efficiently satisfy the
customer’s requirements by testing their
relays in closed loop on a simulated power
system.
From the beginning, RTDS Technologies
has looked to ALSTOM for input on ways to
improve the Simulator for the application of
relay testing. Several new features such as
Automated
Batch
Mode
Operation
enhancements and COMTRADE playback
have already been incorporated as a result
of ALSTOM’s requests. Currently a joint
research project together with the
University of Manitoba, is underway to
develop more accurate CT algorithms for
differential protection testing.
The
installation
at
ALSTOM
has
conclusively proven the benefits of the
RTDS Simulator to the protective relaying
industry.
Furthermore, we intend to
continue our cooperation with ALSTOM and
other customers to constantly improve the
Simulator for this and other applications.
ICDS ’99 - Västerås
We will be taking part in the 3rd International
Conference on Digital Power System
Simulators. We will be demonstrating a
powerful single rack RTDS Simulator. The
rack will contain thirteen TPC and five 3PC
cards. Even using this relatively small
simulator, we will be able to demonstrate
the following:
♦ 6-pulse monopolar HVDC system with
improved firing and internal faults
♦ new TCSC model with improved firing
and internal faults
♦ new SVC model with improved firing
♦ two Real Time Network Solutions on
one rack (max. capability 42 nodes and
56 switches)
♦ three terminal relay test circuit
Dr. Trevor Maguire will be presenting the
paper entitled “The Implementation of the
Cholesky Factorization Routine in the
RTDS Real Time Network Solution”. As
well, numerous other papers from RTDS
users have been accepted for presentation
at the conference.
The conference will provide an excellent
opportunity for us to show you What’s New
with the RTDS Simulator. If you can not
make it to Sweden, we hope to give you
this opportunity at one of the other
conferences listed below.
Give Us Your Thoughts
We are continually looking for new venues and
vehicles to promote the RTDS Simulator. If you
know of conferences or exhibitions in your area
that may be of interest, please contact us.
Conferences
ICDS - Int’l Conference on Digital Simulation
We will participate in the next ICDS to be held
in Vasteras, Sweden May 25 – 28, 1999.
IEEE/PES Summer Meeting
We invite you to visit our hospitality suite during
the IEEE/PES Summer Meeting in Edmonton,
Alberta July 18 - 22, 1999.
WPRC – Western Protective Relay Conf.
We invite you to visit our hospitality suite during
the WPRC in Spokane, Washington October
25-28, 1999.